We are just two days away from the Rally for Working Families! This week HB 1 Maryland's Healthy Working Families Act was featured on many local media outlets including, WYPR, MPT and The Baltimore Jewish Council's Newsletter. There is a clear sense of urgency this year to pass a strong Earned Sick Leave bill. Since last year, the number of families impacted grew from 700,000 to 750,000.

Please join me to share your voice in support of this critical issue - 750,000 hard-working Marylanders can’t earn a single paid sick day. It’s time to make Maryland healthier, fairer and more prosperous. Join me Monday, January 23 for a Rally in Annapolis to pass the Healthy Working Families Act. https://www.facebook.com/events/984096371734446/

This week Gov. Hogan released his budget plan for 2018. According to the Baltimore Sun, "This $43.5 billion spending plan emerged Wednesday, a day after he said the proposal "sounds too good to be true, but it is true." He said it avoided "serious cuts." However, the current budget but severely impacts Baltimore.

The Governor cut funding passed by both parties in the legislature last year to help Baltimore recover from the unrest, including:

$5 million for scholarship for low-income students;

$7.5 million for after-school and summer programs;

$5 million for a program to help anchor institutions like universities foster community development;

$9 million from the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative Program Fund;

$3 million to help keep city library branches open longer; and

$42 million year-over-year cut in direct state aid to Baltimore City Schools.

I will fight this session to ensure a balanced budget does not come on the backs of Baltimore's future. I will keep you updated on the budget as the session continues. As always you can reach me to share your thoughts or questions at info@luke46.com or 410-841-3303.

Save the Date

46th DISTRICT TOWN HALL

This year we will host our annual 46th District Town Hall on Saturday, February 4, 2017. Please join the District 46 Team- Senator Ferguson, Delegate Lierman, and our newest member Delegate Robbyn Lewis, and me at Harbor Hospital from 10 until 11:30. More details to come.

Keep in Touch

Visit us in Annapolis! If you are in Annapolis we love to see constituents, families, and school groups. You can always reach me at info@luke46.com or call 410-841-3303. We hope to see you soon.

Scholarship Applications

If you live in the 46th District and are interested in applying for a Legislative Scholarship from my office, applications will be due on Saturday, April 1, 2017. Applications are now available. Please call or email my office and we will send you an application.